The Stewart Museum celebrates the founding of Nouvelle France in America

The Stewart Museum will celebrate in a very special way the origins of Québec, cradle of the French presence in America, during a Soirée to be held September 18th, from 6:00 p.m., in the historic courtyard of the Fort on Île Sainte-Hélène.

Under the patronage of Mr. Gérald Tremblay, Mayor of Montréal, the Soirée will be graced by the presence of numerous guests representing various territories that were part of Nouvelle France. Displays, music, dance, and fine dining of the period will highlight the festive atmosphere.

Proceeds from the event will help further develop the Museum's educational mission and broaden its program benefiting students of the Greater Montreal area.


Info:
Nicole Carron
Tel.: 438.868.2040
soiree2008@stewart-museum.org

Opening May 25, 2008 in the Gunsmith's Gallery

In 1861, the American Civil War aroused a martial spirit throughout Canada. In Montreal, members of the fashionable Beaver Lacrosse Club decided to band themselves together in a military organization which would be able to take part in any emergency military operations. In 1862, under Captain W. Osborne Smith, the Victoria Rifles were officially recognized as a Canadian militia counting over 300 members.

The battalion participated in the defence against the Fenian raids of 1866 and 1870, and sixty-four of its members served in the Boer War. In the First World War, three overseas battalions were recruited from the “Rifles”. During the Second World War the First Battalion was broken up to supply reinforcements in England while the Second Battalion remained in Canada. At home the Regiment served as an aid to civil power during the 1885 Montreal smallpox epidemic, a strike in Valleyfield, Quebec in 1900 and at the 1903 dock labourers strike in Montréal. At the end of the Second World War, the battalion was reorganized as a militia unit and disbanded in 1965 as part of the Canadian military cutbacks recommended by the Suttie Commission.

The term Abenaki comes from Wabanaki, meaning "People of the dawn country" or “from the East”. Presented as part of the First People Festival, this small exhibition of S. Rivard, Lands in Sights and Thérèse O’Bomsawin’s collections brings to light the Abenaki art and culture from past to present.

Opening November 28, 2007

The Musée de la civilisation, organizer of this exhibition, invited Quebec authors to invent a story related to an object starting with the first letter in their family name. The twinning of 26 objects with 26 authors, women and men of letters with an imagination and distinctive sensitivity to their art, resulted in a newly-found life for these objects chosen from our collective heritage.

This exhibition is presented at the Stewart Museum as part of an exchange agreement with the Musée de la civilisation.